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From nihilism to nothingness: A comparison of Nietzschean and Daoist thought

From nihilism to nothingness: A comparison of Nietzschean and Daoist thought From Nihilism to Nothingness: A Comparison Of Nietzschean and Daoist Thought Katrin Froese* The nihilistic undertones of late modem and contemporary European phi- losophy are reflective of a world in which metaphysical horizons are rapidly collapsing. Nietzsche's infamous proclamation that "God is dead" marks the end of a metaphysical era in which a single order underpins all of existence. While Nietzsche is cognizant of the widespread despair that "God's" death might usher in, he inveighs against the notion that meaning depends on cer- tainty and argues that participation in the dynamic movement of life is more conducive to a meaningful existence. He rebels against philosophies which invoke a transcendent realm of permanence to denigrate and devalue the flux of life, arguing that this is the nihilistic act par excellence. In Tuik'ght of the Idols, Nietzsche notes that philosophers have a propensity to proclaim life worth- less (Nietzsche 1968e: 1.1) and are infected with a pervasive "weariness with life" (Nietzsche 1968e: 1.1). The term nihilism has negative connotations in the West, precisely be- cause of the grip that metaphysical truths have had on the Western psyche. Yet, one should guard against simply equating nihilism with an awareness of nothingness. Nihilism http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Dao Springer Journals

From nihilism to nothingness: A comparison of Nietzschean and Daoist thought

Froese, Katrin
Dao , Volume 4 (1) – Mar 27, 2008
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References (18)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 by Springer
Subject
Philosophy; Non-Western Philosophy; Philosophy of Religion; Ethics; Chinese; Religious Studies
ISSN
1540-3009
eISSN
1569-7274
DOI
10.1007/BF02871085
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

From Nihilism to Nothingness: A Comparison Of Nietzschean and Daoist Thought Katrin Froese* The nihilistic undertones of late modem and contemporary European phi- losophy are reflective of a world in which metaphysical horizons are rapidly collapsing. Nietzsche's infamous proclamation that "God is dead" marks the end of a metaphysical era in which a single order underpins all of existence. While Nietzsche is cognizant of the widespread despair that "God's" death might usher in, he inveighs against the notion that meaning depends on cer- tainty and argues that participation in the dynamic movement of life is more conducive to a meaningful existence. He rebels against philosophies which invoke a transcendent realm of permanence to denigrate and devalue the flux of life, arguing that this is the nihilistic act par excellence. In Tuik'ght of the Idols, Nietzsche notes that philosophers have a propensity to proclaim life worth- less (Nietzsche 1968e: 1.1) and are infected with a pervasive "weariness with life" (Nietzsche 1968e: 1.1). The term nihilism has negative connotations in the West, precisely be- cause of the grip that metaphysical truths have had on the Western psyche. Yet, one should guard against simply equating nihilism with an awareness of nothingness. Nihilism

Journal

Dao – Springer Journals

Published: Mar 27, 2008

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